Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify rate limiting step/process.
- Investigate bottleneck.
- Analyse the science of what is occurring in the bottle neck unit
- Analyse the engineering/design specification of the bottle neck unit
- Determine the root cause of the capacity limitation of the bottleneck unit
- Investigate methods of increasing the capacity of the bottle neck unit
- List solutions to the bottle neck.
- Select technically best solution.
- Compare hazard profile of possible solutions.
- Organise a hazard analysis (eg HAZOP) for the solutions according to company procedures
- Ensure that all stakeholders are represented on the hazard analysis team
- Brief the hazard analysis team on the problem and solution alternatives under evaluation
- Eliminate alternatives which do not meet hazard requirements
- Rank remaining competing items by safety performance.
- Make final choice of solution.
- Seek further information where necessary to allow a rational selection to be made
- Choose the solution which meets all required minimum standards and will provide the best solution
- Verify choice in discussion with production and engineering managers and other key stakeholders
- Obtain necessary approvals/authorisations
- Check solution.
- Complete modification.